An important part of advocacy for social justice is attending and planning actions. These visible events help our lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country clearly see what issues are important to everyday people and the great numbers of us with Franciscan values.
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Being a Franciscan presence in the public arena is part of our mission and the staff of FAN regularly participates in many kinds of advocacy actions. We also want to hear about and uplift what you’ve been doing in your community. Click here to let us know what actions you have participated in.
Here is what we’ve attended so far this year:
June 2025
June 30, 2025
On June 30, 2025, FAN Staff joined Moral Mondays, an effort by Rev. Barber and Repairers of the Breach that FAN has cosponsored. They joined the group to call for a moral budget. Organizers carried coffins to illustrate how many people are expected to die as a result of budget cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Click here to see more photos and videos.
June 27: Vigil for Palestine
On Friday, June 27, FAN Executive Director Michele Dunne and FAN Communications Coordinator Rosie Davila joined a vigil coordinated by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker at the White House to call for peace in the Middle East and just peace solutions with Iran. Click here to see more photos and videos.
June 25: Laudato Si' Book Drop
On June 25, over 100 “Pilgrims of Hope for Creation” delivered blessed copies of Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical, to all 148 Catholic members of Congress. FAN joined with Catholic Climate Covenant and others for this hopeful action. Each copy included a cover letter, discernment questions, and a Canticle of Creatures prayer card. Click here to see more photos.
June 24: Sisters Speak Out
On Tuesday, June 24, FAN Staff participated in co-sponsored event “Sisters Speak Out,” where Catholic sisters and allies from around the nation gathered at the Capitol (and in echo events) to call for a moral budget that protects the poor and vulnerable.
June 14: Pro-democracy actions
FAN staff and members of Franciscan Justice Circles participated in pro-democracy actions in many locations on June 14. Some that participated were the DC Franciscan Justice Circle; Sr. Marie in Greenbelt, MD; members of the Richmond, VA Justice Circle; as well as Br James LaGrutta in Philadelphia. Click here to see more photos.
May 2025
May 4: Poor People's Campaign
Merwyn DeMello and Gabby Martinez, formerly FAN’s Director of Campaigns, were present at the DC Poor People’s Campaign Spring Meet on May 4 at Bruce Monroe Park. The gathering featured prayer, song, speakers, and a warm send-off for Gabby as she prepares for graduate studies.
April 2025
April 30: Witness Wednesdays
On April 30, FAN staff joined Sojourner’s Witness Wednesdays: A Call for Congressional Courage. FAN is a cosponsor of the Witness Wednesday events.
April 23: Witness Wednesdays
On April 23, FAN’s Legislative Director Eileen DeGuire spoke at Sojourner’s Witness Wednesdays: A Call for Congressional Courage. FAN is a cosponsor of the Witness Wednesday events.
April 22: Earth Day
FAN celebrated Earth Day (April 22) by joining a Multi-Faith event at the Russell Senate Office Building to reflect on care for creation. Just a day earlier, the world lost Pope Francis, remembered by all present as a powerful voice for climate justice. In shared grief, we prayed and recommitted to justice for people and planet, inspired by Laudato Si’.
April 18: Maryknoll Way of the Cross for Peace and Justice
On April 18, Good Friday, FAN Staff joined the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns for the Way of the Cross for Peace and Justice. FAN Staff participated by reading Stations of the Cross.
April 18: Good Friday Vigil at the Pentagon
On Good Friday, April 18, FAN Staff joined the D.C. Catholic Worker for a vigil outside the Pentagon to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and call for an end to war.
April 5: Hands Off! Rally
FAN staff and FJC members joined hundreds of thousands at rallies in Washington DC and many other locations on April 5 to express concern about recent government cuts eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, Agency for International Development, Institute of Peace, and many other policies affecting the welfare of vulnerable people in the United States and around the world.
Click here to read National Catholic Reporter’s coverage of the event.
April 3: Christians for Ceasefire and a Just Peace Vigil
On April 3, FAN staff joined Christians for Ceasefire and Just Peace at a vigil in front of the White House with Rev. Munther Isaac from Bethlehem, Palestine. After the vigil in Lafayette Park, participants processed to New York Avenue Presbyterian Church for Rev. Isaac’s talk on his new book, Christ in the Rubble.
Click here to watch a video of the vigil.
March 2025
March 26: Witness Wednesdays
On March 26, FAN’s Executive Director, Michele Dunne OFS, spoke at Sojourners’ “Faithful Witness Wednesday: A Call for Congressional Courage.” Members of the FAN staff also attended.
March 11: ICC Vigil and Meetings with Senators
On Tuesday, March 11, several members of FAN’s staff and community participated in the Interfaith Immigration Coalition’s Vigil and Day of Action. After taking time to pray and hear testimony from different leaders, including Br. Ken Taylor, OLF, they met with the staff of Senators Kaine (VA), McCormick (PA), Fetterman (PA), Gallego (PA), and Collins (ME).
March 12-15: Commission on the Status of Women
Eileen DeGuire and Rosie Davila attended the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, invited by Franciscans International. They had the opportunity to learn from women around the world who are leading efforts in conflict resolution, immigrant justice, and more. While at the UN CSW, Eileen recorded a podcast episode of Walk Talk Listen with Maurice Bloem, where she discussed the importance of faith-based work in today’s climate and being a young advocate.
March 5: Ash Wednesday Events
On March 5, Franciscan Action Network D.C. staff attended three actions in support of maintaining social welfare programs in budget with Pax Christi USA, Sojourners, and Poor People’s Campaign.
See more photos from the Pax Christi service here.
Click here to watch the Instagram livestream of the Pax Christi Service.
Click here to read about the Poor People’s Campaign Event.
Click here to read about the Sojourners event and click here for more pictures.
March 3: Faith in Action Interfaith Vigil & Day of Action on Immigration
Sr. Marie & Eileen participated in a Faith in Action Interfaith Vigil & Day of Action on Immigration. There were representatives of many different faith traditions that came together to show their opposition to pulling funding from social welfare programs to detain and deport people. After the vigil, they and others went to the Hill & met with staff from Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office to share their concerns.
February 2025
February 22: Muslim-Catholic Dialogue
Sisters Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director, and Maria Orlandini, OSF, Director of Advocacy, attended the Muslim-Catholic Dialogue at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD, on February 22, 2025.
January 2025
January 24: March for Life
Franciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne attended the March for Life, reaffirming FAN’s commitment to a consistent ethic of life. FAN upholds the dignity of all life, advocating for justice across a range of life issues, from abortion to poverty, war, and the death penalty.
January 5: Faith in Democracy
FAN’s DC staff joined our annual Faith in Democracy Interfaith Prayer Vigil. Faith leaders shared sacred texts on justice and nonviolence, emphasizing the need for a fully representative democracy. The evening closed with prayer and music by the Washington Douglass Chorale.